Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin
Chapter 2 – The King is Dead
The following morning Arthur was awoken in his customary fashion of Merlin barging into his chambers and flinging the drapes open, calling for his prince to get out of bed. Only for the first time he wasn't alone.
"Merlin!" Arthur cried, brought fully awake when Gwen gasped and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Get out!"
"Right." Merlin mumbled and retreated without another word. Once he was gone Gwen quickly scrambled out of bed and behind the changing screen where she put on a robe, wanting to be properly covered if not properly dressed when Merlin returned.
"I do apologize." Arthur said when Gwen came back out from behind the screen.
"It's quite alright. There wasn't exactly any time to inform him of our new arrangement." Arthur was once again glad for Gwen's maturity and acceptance of this matter and decided to drop it for now. When Merlin returned he hesitantly knocked on the door and, for the first time in Arthur's memory, actually waited to be granted entrance.
"Is it safe to come in?" He asked even though he'd clearly heard Arthur's summons.
"Yes, yes, Merlin, it is." Arthur said impatiently and the servant fully came into the room.
"I summoned Nan, Your Highness." He informed Gwen though he kept his eyes averted still. "She and your maid will be along presently to help you dress."
"Thank you Merlin."
"I suppose this is as good a time as any then to go speak with my father." Arthur said, pulling on his boots and tunic from last night. "Why wait for the summons when I can head him off?" Gwen offered him a small smile but neither she nor Merlin answered his rhetorical question. Both men then made their exit leaving Gwen to await Nan and her maid. Arthur's discussion with his father went no better then it had the other day and both men left the other's presence frustrated, though Arthur more content than Uther. He'd discovered that no matter how much his father demanded and postured, no matter how cruel and tyrannical he could be, he could never actually bring himself to force this particular issue; he would never force Arthur to take his wife against both their wills. However, although Arthur no longer feared the 'consequences' Gwen spoke of being an attempt to physically force either of them to comply, the King was most certainly not giving up and told Arthur that unless on an assignment he was under curfew each night and the two would continue to share quarters until not only had their marriage been consummated, but an heir had been conceived. If that was as far as Uther would take it, Arthur was sure he and Gwen would adapt quickly and left his father's presence not terribly upset. He returned to his chambers to find that Gwen had left for the day, though Merlin was there straightening up.
"I'd like a bath, Merlin." The Prince commanded.
"What, now?" Merlin asked, turning to look at his master.
"Yes. Now." Arthur said as if it was obvious.
"You couldn't have told me this earlier could you?" He grumbled. "Now I've got to go all the way to the kitchen and get them to heat the water, have the tub hauled upstairs and carry bucket after bucket of water while hoping the bath hasn't cooled too much by the time its full."
"Then I guess you had better get to it, hadn't you?" The banter between the two was common place and those who knew them well found it entirely hilarious, though given Uther's feelings towards the classes, they'd never show this aspect of their relationship outside of closed doors and their close circle of friends. "Wait." Arthur called when Merlin stomped towards the door. "I don't have time to wait as you dawdle in your task to annoy me. Just…go ahead." He waved his hand in a nonchalant manner, refusing to say the word as he always did so long as the secret must be kept. Merlin smiled and turned to face the centre of the room. He raised his hand and muttered some intelligible words under his breath. His eyes glowed gold for a moment, a wooden tub popped out of nowhere and a bucket hovered above it as it began to pour an unending supply of water into the tub, steam rising as it was heated instantly. A cry of shock alerted the men to the fact that they were not alone, and both whirled around to face the intruder, discovering the culprit to be Gwen.
"I forgot my book…" She muttered, her eyes wide as her eyes darted from Merlin to the tub then to Arthur and back again. "You…you have…you're…"
"Gwen." Arthur said, standing slowly with his arms outstretched in what he hoped was a non-threatening manner, afraid that she would bolt.
"You knew?" She said, turning her full attention to her husband. "You knew he has…has magic." She said the word as if it was a great offense.
"Gwen, listen to me-"
"No! This is a crime! You cannot expect me to…" She did not finish her sentence but had turned to go, racing from the room.
"Guinevere!" Arthur yelled, hurrying after her. With his long legs it did not take long before he overtook her and blocked her path. "Guinevere, listen to me."
"Let me pass."
"No. Come back inside and we will discuss this rationally."
"Rationally? There is nothing to discuss, let alone rationally!"
"Guinevere, come back inside now." He commanded, giving her a hard look.
"No!" She said after a moment and made to move passed him but he would not let her. Instead he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her cries of indignation and the pounding of her fists against his back, he walked back inside his chamber and put her down in the chair before the fire, nodding to Merlin who waved his hand, his eyes glowing once more, as he sealed the room from both intrusion and eavesdroppers.
"How long have you known?" She asked finally when she'd calmed down somewhat, knowing that she'd never be allowed to leave before Arthur was ready for her too. Arthur did not answer her, but his silence was all the answer she needed. "All this time? You knew he was a sorcerer all this time and you haven't said anything?!"
"He's my friend, Gwen."
"But he has magic! It's forbidden, outlawed…"
"What would you have me do?" He snapped. "Send my friend to the gallows for something he cannot help?"
"That is for The King to decide."
"If it was up to my father magic would be exterminated from all of Britain and half the people in all the nine kingdoms would be put to death because of it." Gwen did not have an answer for that and Arthur took the opportunity to press onwards. "Look, Gwen, I know you've been raised to believe all magic is bad and all those who have magic are evil. I was raised the same way, but there came a time when I had to start thinking for myself."
"Was that when you discovered Merlin had magic?"
"Yes." He admitted. "Merlin has always been my friend and he has always served me well. I know him, I know what kind of man he is, and when I discovered he had magic I knew it couldn't be all bad for there was still no doubt in my mind as to Merlin's goodness."
"Gwen," Merlin spoke up using her nickname as he only did when they, and Morgana, were alone, the four friends dropping much of the formality at those times. "I swear to you that magic in of itself is not bad, it is how magic is used that determines whether it is good or bad. Uther had a bad experience with magic once, a very bad experience I will admit, and since then he has outlawed it in Camelot and even campaigned to have it outlawed throughout Britain. It is his fear and ignorance of magic that caused the ban, not magic on its own."
"So what you're saying is that magic is a tool, possibly even a weapon, and it can be used either to build and protect, or destroy and kill. It all depends on the person using it."
"Yes…" Merlin said hesitantly, surprised she'd grasped the concept so quickly, especially after her initial reaction. Gwen then proved it was not only Arthur that knew Merlin, though none could claim a closer companionship with him.
"The concept is not hard to grasp. And I am sorry I reacted the way I did. I was just shocked. It was my first encounter with magic, or rather I suppose the first encounter that I'm aware of, and I never expected it to come from you, or anyone I know."
"I can understand that." Merlin said, giving her a small smile.
"You won't say anything to father, will you?" Arthur had to ask.
"Of course not!" Gwen said vehemently, turning to look at him in a manner that said he caused her great insult by even saying something like that to her.
"It's a fair question after you reacted the way you did." He defended.
"I was in shock, and I already apologized to Merlin for it and he's accepted my apology, so you have no reason not to as well." Arthur opened his mouth to retort but Merlin cut him off, seeing that the two were about to start one of their arguments, which while didn't happen often, tended to last for a long while when they did.
"Children, children, please, no fighting so early in the morning."
"Too right you are, Merlin." Gwen said, turning her back on Arthur and ending the argument before it truly began. "Once again I apologize for my reaction, and I promise you I will say nothing. Like Arthur said, there is no doubt to your goodness, Merlin, so magic cannot be all bad as Uther claims."
oo00oo00oo
The days following Gwen discovering Merlin's magic were some of the most interesting the young princess could ever remember. With magic having been banned long before she was born, Gwen found every bit of magic Merlin performed very exciting. For his part the warlock took great delight in having another person who knew about his magic and also in being able to show someone, who had been raised believing that all magic was evil, that it could in fact be good. Merlin explained that magic itself was neither evil nor good and that it was the person using magic and their intent with it that determined whether it was good or bad. Gwen took the lessons to heart and swore that she would see that lesson taught to all once Arthur was king and magic could return to Camelot. Arthur himself had never said that he would lift the ban on magic but Gwen knew he would never force Merlin to live in the shadows a moment longer than he had to. When Gwen brought the subject up one night, intent on teasing Arthur over his affection for his manservant as both she and Morgana had done many a time before, Arthur loudly proclaimed that he would be lifting the ban on magic once he was king, but it would not be for Merlin but for the betterment of all his subjects. Gwen rolled her eyes at his proclamation but said no more; she knew the truth. Although Gwen's knowledge of Merlin's magic appeared to be a blessing, there was one troublesome fact: Morgana. Uther's ward was Gwen's best friend, the two shared everything with each other, but she had been asked by Merlin, and practically ordered by Arthur, not to tell the anyone, even Morgana, about Merlin's magic. Gwen was quite put out and although she understood the need for secrecy, for Merlin's head would be on the chopping block should Uther ever find out, she insisted Morgana could be trusted. Even so, it was Merlin's secret to tell and so she said not a word to her friend.
oo00oo00oo
Four years passed and the war with the Saxons grew worse. The Saxon leader remained unknown to all, a tactic which helped instil fear, but his goal was clear: conquer Britain at all costs. Those costs were the lives of many Britons, both Saxons and those of Albion, though he seemed not to care how many lives were lost so long as he reached his ultimate goal. Within Camelot itself life changed little save for the growing fear of attack and the dwindling number of men as Uther drafted them for his army. Tragedy struck that year with the death of Uther. The King lost his life in battle against the Saxons and while Arthur certainly mourned his father, and ensured that the kingdom properly mourned their king, he could not help but think it a fitting punishment for Uther arrogantly engaging such a large army against the advice of his council. With the death of one king came the succession of another and Arthur received the news of his succession as King of Camelot in the early hours of the morning, before either he or Guinevere had awoken. A persistent banging sounded at the Prince and Princess' chambers and woke both from their sleep. When the banging did not immediately stop Arthur jumped out of bed and angrily stalked towards the door, waiting only long enough to ensure Gwen had donned her dressing gown before yanking the door open.
"What?" He growled at Merlin whose hand was raised to knock again.
"Two of the privy councillors are here to see you, Your Highness." He said, stepping aside to reveal the men in question.
"At this hour?" He demanded.
"They insist it is urgent." Seeing the sombre looks on both his manservant and the councillors' faces Arthur refrained from saying more and stepped aside to allow them entry. Gwen was standing by the fire when they entered, though she moved to stand beside her husband when their visitors entered.
"What is this about?" Arthur asked once Merlin had closed the door.
"We have received word from King Cenred, Sire." One spoke, further gaining Arthur's attention as he heard the name of the king who had joined his father in battle for it was Cenred's kingdom, Essetir, that was the current site of the battle against the Saxons.
"And?" The two councillors hesitated and looked between the two, trying to decide who was going to speak. Finally one gave in in their silent battle of wills and both sank to their knees.
"The King is dead." The other said. At his words Arthur felt his knees go weak and was suddenly glad that Gwen had grabbed hold of him, the two holding each other up. "Long live The King." A few seconds later, once the shock had worn off, Merlin too sank to his knees before his new king, as did Gwen and it was the latter of the two that gained his attention.
"Long live The King." She murmured. Arthur did nothing but stare for a while but eventually he regained his voice.
"Uh…we are grieved to hear of our father's death." He said formally, surprised by how easy it was to fall into the use of the royal 'we'. "Even so, we swear to do right by our people and our kingdom." It wasn't a long speech by any means but it was enough. When he was finished, Arthur took Gwen's hand and raised her up to stand next to him. It was only then that it hit Gwen that with Uther dead and Arthur now King, she in turn was now Queen of Camelot. It was a role she had been raised to fill, but a fact she could scarcely wrap her head around. As if reading her thoughts, Arthur reiterated her new station. "Now if you will excuse us gentlemen, The Queen and I will rest a bit more before meeting the day." Merlin was quick to usher the others out at The King's dismissal, the warlock and manservant sparing his new king a small smile and meaningful look before exiting as well. When they were alone, Gwen turned to her husband and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She asked hesitantly, unsure of Arthur's reaction to his father's death. Like all of Uther's relationships the one with his son was complicated and although there were times she could swear Arthur hated the man, Uther was still his father.
"Yes, I believe I am." He responded. The two walked to their bed and sat together, Gwen taking Arthur's hand in hers. "I was unsure how I would feel at my father's death, but I feel barely anything. He was my father, and I will miss him, but he was not a good man, nor a very good king. He protected Camelot well enough, and he wasn't entirely a tyrant, but his crusade against magic saw to the loss of many innocent lives, as did his swiftness to jump into battle. I shall miss him, but I find my grief overshadowed by the needs of my people. People I must now rule somehow."
"You are not your father, Arthur. You have learned from his mistakes."
"Have I? We are at war, Gwen. The one thing my father excelled at was war; he was my teacher for all I must now do. How can you say I learned from his mistakes when I am being thrust into a position to make them myself?"
"Because I know you, Arthur Pendragon. You are a far better man than Uther could have ever hoped to be. Even if, as you say, you are being thrust into position to make his mistakes all over again, I know you won't. I have faith in you." She smiled softly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Besides, Merlin, Morgana and I will be there to see to it."
"Well, I can surely count on my queen to set me straight should the need arise. And you shall, Gwen. You have never been, nor will you ever be, a mere ornament to me, as so many queens are to their kings. You are Queen of Camelot now and you will rule by my side, not merely appearing pretty on my arm at state functions."
"Do you really mean that?" She all but breathed after a moment of silence; the idea of them ruling together was a foreign concept, but one she found very appealing. Arthur merely nodded his answer and no more was said as the two returned to bed to get a little more sleep, for tomorrow would surely be a very tiring day.
oo00oo00oo
The following day both Merlin and Sefa, Gwen's lady's maid, spent extra time getting their master and mistress ready for their first appearance before the kingdom as King and Queen. Heralds had been sent into the city early in the morning informing the people that Arthur would be making an announcement and all who could were expected to attend. News of Uther's death was not received as it should be for the loss of a beloved king, though no one could claim that Uther had been beloved. Arthur's ascension to the throne, however, was met with cheers and cries of joy for the prince was known to be fair and honourable and with him as their king, the people of Camelot saw hope for an end to the war for the first time in years. Morgana's reception of Arthur and Gwen as King and Queen of Camelot was met as they expected, with both joy and teasing. Morgana had been quite vocal in recent years of her opinions about Uther so finally having Arthur on the throne was a godsend as far as she was concerned, while her best friend as Queen meant that the long talks the two women had had about the changes they would bring to Camelot when Gwen was Queen could now come to fruition. Before all that, however, Arthur had one very important thing to take care of: to lift the ban on magic. It would have to wait until after the coronation, until after Arthur had officially been crowned King, but Gwen knew it would be his first act the day after the coronation; he would finally be able to liberate his friend from secrecy. Plans for the coronation took a few weeks, the entire kingdom deciding as one to make it a lavish affair befitting their beloved King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. The day was planned for a week after Uther's funeral, the late King's body having been returned to Camelot for burial. As expected the funeral was a sombre affair, but eventually the melancholy faded and finally the day of the coronation arrived and both monarchs were decked out in their best, Arthur in the colours of Camelot, a crimson doublet with underlying gold fabric and jewels, and Gwen in a deep purple gown, a sign of her royalty, with delicate lace sleeves and a flowing train. As was tradition the Archbishop, the highest-ranking church official in Camelot, crowned Arthur King. It then befell to The King to crown his Queen. Gwen had stood at the back of the congregation in the throne room while Arthur was crowned and once the cries of 'God save The King!' died down she stepped forward and slowly made her way down the aisle towards her husband. Kneeling on the pillow that had been placed on the steps of the dais, Gwen held her breath as the Archbishop came forward with the crown belonging to the Queen of Camelot, which had stood unused for many years. Arthur took the crown in both hands and spared his wife a glance before turning to the congregation.
"By the sacred laws vested in me, I crown you Guinevere, Queen of Camelot." He spoke clearly and loudly as he gently brought the crown to rest on Gwen's head. His task complete, Arthur offered her his hands and helped her to rise. The two shared a look of fondness and trust, knowing they could rely on each other in their new roles, and on impulse Arthur leaned down and gently kissed Gwen. If she was at all surprised by his actions she did not show it, offering him a shy smile when he pulled away. Arthur then released one of her hands and stepped forward, raising her arm high and presenting her to the crowd.
"God save The Queen!" He shouted, his words being instantly repeated by the congregation as a whole. Immediately following the coronation each of Uther's bannermen came forward and pledged their allegiance to Arthur as their new King, as did the Knights of Camelot. After the formal ceremony was over a banquet was held where there was much revelry and merry making; Camelot rejoiced at having Arthur as their king. Finally the time came when Arthur deemed it appropriate to retire. He stood and led Gwen from the hall as their people sent them off with a great cheer. Both Merlin and Nan were on hand to help them undress in their new chambers, the two having moved into the King and Queen's chambers a few days before, and it wasn't long until the two were alone. Gwen sat in front of a mirror brushing out her hair while Arthur stood by the window looking out on the city that still celebrated. Arthur was quite tense and kept shifting his feet, and when he let out one sigh too many Gwen put her brush down and turned to her husband.
"Alright, Arthur. What troubles you?" She asked.
"Whatever do you mean?" He returned, not turning to look at her.
"Oh please. Something is bothering you, something you clearly wish to unburden yourself of." Gwen rose and went to join Arthur at the window. "Tell me." She spoke softly. Arthur was silent for many moments and Gwen thought he would ignore her, though finally he did speak.
"I fear that the time has come for us to consummate our marriage." He said slowly, sneaking a glance down at Gwen to see her reaction. While she had, in truth, not been expecting that at this moment Gwen could not say she was surprised. It had been four years since she'd bled for the first time and the laws of the land declared her of marriageable age. By all rights they should have consummated their marriage long ago, but Arthur had firmly refused, Gwen's young age putting him off as he wanted to give her time to truly grow and mature, no matter what the law said.
"I can't say I expected it this night." She finally replied. "But it is not a shock, I'm surprised you waited this long."
"I would wait longer." He said, turning to face her fully. "Although it has been four years, you are still young, Guinevere."
"I am not a child, Arthur." She said with narrowed eyes. There was a seven year age difference between the two of them, and although she could not deny he was much more experienced and worldly in all things, she was no longer a child and hated it when he thought of her as a such.
"I know you're not. Believe me, I know." Gwen could swear she saw him blush as he quickly looked away. It was the first time he had let on, even the tiniest bit, that he truly may look on her as a man does his wife, instead of them playing at being married as had been the case for many years.
"Do…do you find me attractive, Arthur?" She asked hesitantly. Arthur's eyes widened for a moment but ultimately he decided on complete honesty.
"Yes." He admitted. "You are very beautiful, Guinevere. I will not deny that for a time now sleeping next to you and not touching you has been…difficult." Both turned their heads to hide their blush, the subject not being something they had ever discussed.
"Well…" Gwen started when she could bear the silence no longer. "It need no longer be difficult. I am your wife, Arthur. It is my duty to-"
"And that there is why I would wait longer!" He snapped. "You're clearly not ready if the only reason you would come to my bed is out of duty. I would give you more time, except now I'm King. It was different when my father was alive, when the kingdom had the security of an heir. Should anything happen to my father, which it eventually did, there was someone to take the throne. Now there is no heir, if something happens to me the succession isn't secure. On top of that not only is there not even the possibility of an heir, for lord knows the entire kingdom is aware we haven't consummated yet, but even the prospect of it can be taken from me easily as our marriage is not entirely valid until consummated. It was alright when we were so young, even when my father was alive, but to have a king who's wife can be legally taken from him so easily…"
"Are you finished?" Gwen cut in in a moment of quiet before he could start up again. Arthur sighed but nodded and sat on the bench under the window. Gwen sat beside him and took his hand in hers, squeezing comfortingly. "Arthur you need not worry so about me." He opened his mouth to interrupt her but she put her finger to his lips and shot him a glare. "Had you let me finish…yes, it is my duty as your wife, and as Queen, to provide the kingdom with an heir, but had you let me finish you would have heard that it need no longer be difficult because I am ready." Arthur's head snapped up hearing the sincerity in her voice. "Really I am." She assured him. "I have been for awhile now, I just didn't know how to tell you." Arthur looked her in the eyes for a minute and couldn't believe what he saw.
"You're serious." He breathed unbelievingly. Gwen merely nodded and when he didn't make any move to initiate anything Gwen decided to take the first step and brought her lips up to his. After a moment Arthur began to return the kiss and it wasn't long before he had pulled her into his lap. When the need for air became too much the two pulled apart. Arthur stood and let her down on her feet as he brought his hand up to run through her hair. Gwen leaned into his touch and closed her eyes contentedly. They opened when she felt him reach for the laces of her shift and begin to undo them. She looked up at him as the shift fell from her shoulders, taking in his reacting to seeing her naked for the first time.
"You're beautiful." He repeated his earlier sentiment and she smiled softly. Hers was far from the first female body he'd seen and she knew it. Given their age difference and him becoming a man while she was still a young girl, he'd been with other women, knowing he could not be with his wife for some time. He'd done so quietly, not wanting to dishonour his wife even if she couldn't yet be a real wife to him, and though she had heard of his exploits she'd never begrudged him his dalliances. She wondered if that would change if he strayed from her now that she could be his wife in every way; she only hoped she wouldn't have to find out. Unbeknownst to her Arthur was thinking similar thoughts, knowing that he could never be unfaithful to his wife now that she was truly his. Once he'd drunk his fill of her Arthur reached up and removed his shirt. He then bent and swept Gwen up into his arms, carrying her over to the bed and depositing her gently on top. He climbed over her and brought his lips down on hers once more as he allowed his hands to travel lower. It wasn't long before she was panting beneath him, arching her back into his touch. Arthur was determined to make this as pleasurable as possible for her and so was determined to bring her to release before he took her. While Gwen tried to catch her breath, she watched as Arthur pulled away from her and removed his breeches. She blushed prettily at seeing Arthur in all his glory, but he was pleased to note that she didn't look away. While she was still feeling the aftereffects of his attentions, Arthur moved over her once again and took but a moment to see the acceptance in her eyes before he entered her in one quick thrust. Her gasp this time was one of pain as her maidenhead was broken, but Arthur did not let it last for long before he had her panting under him once more. He came with a cry as he released inside of her Knowing that a woman's first time was usually painful and unpleasant Arthur took a moment to assess his wife and took her laboured breathing and low moans to mean he had not hurt her unduly. Still, he could not help but ask, needing her to say it.
"Are you alright?" He asked as he hovered over her.
"Uhuh." Came her articulate reply and Arthur sighed in relief, rolling to the side and pulling her against him, giving her one last kiss to her forehead before the two fell into a sated sleep.
A/N - That'll be the end of time jumps for awhile, there will be a heavy focus on Arthur and Gwen's time a the new King and Queen of Camelot as well as the war. I know Uther didn't play nearly as big a role as he did in the series, but he's not nearly as important in this story and I needed Arthur to be King.
